Leak detection systems for a fluid heating device

Abstract

The disclosed technology includes a leak detection system for a fluid heating device, the leak detection system including: a structure configured to at least partially insert into a portion of a fluid heater; a fluid removing portion of or in contact with the structure, the fluid removing portion configured to transport water from the structure to at least one leak sensor; and the at least one leak sensor configured to detect the fluid transported from the structure by the fluid removing portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A leak detection system for a fluid heating device, the leak detection system comprising:
 a structure configured to at least partially insert into a portion of a fluid heater;   a fluid removing portion of or in contact with the structure, the fluid removing portion configured to transport water from the structure to at least one leak sensor; and   the at least one leak sensor configured to detect the fluid transported from the structure by the fluid removing portion.   
     
     
         2 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid removing portion comprises a wicking material in electric communication with the at least one leak sensor, and wherein the at least one leak sensor does not extend along a length of the wicking material. 
     
     
         3 . The leak detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the wicking material forms a ring along a perimeter of the structure. 
     
     
         4 . The leak detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the wicking material is substantially flat. 
     
     
         5 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the structure comprises a port comprising one or more receptacles, and   the leak detection system further comprises a plug having one or more prongs, each of the one or more prongs being configured to extend into a corresponding one of the one or more receptacles and contact the fluid removing portion, the plug being in electrical communication with the at least one leak sensor.   
     
     
         6 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises one or more attachment structures configured to retain the fluid removing portion at a predetermined height. 
     
     
         7 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of a bottom of the structure slopes downwardly in a radially outward direction. 
     
     
         8 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises an upwardly protruding mound located proximate a center of the structure. 
     
     
         9 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid removing portion comprises one or more apertures extending through a bottom of the structure, the one or more apertures configured to permit water to pass from an exterior surface of the bottom of the structure to an interior surface of the bottom of the structure. 
     
     
         10 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid removing portion extends along an entire inner perimeter of the structure. 
     
     
         11 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid removing portion comprises a protrusion extending from an inner surface of the structure along a radial axis. 
     
     
         12 . The leak detection system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one leak sensor is disposed in the protrusion. 
     
     
         13 . The leak detection system of  claim 11 , wherein the structure comprises one or more arcuate bands. 
     
     
         14 . A leak detection system comprising:
 a water removing portion configured to extend along at least some of a perimeter of a bottom pan of a water heater, the water removing portion configured to transport water from the at least some of the perimeter to at least one leak sensor;   an attachment structure configured to attach the water removing portion to the bottom pan; and   the at least one leak sensor configured to detect the water transported from the at least some of the perimeter by the water removing portion.   
     
     
         15 . The leak detection system of  claim 14 , wherein the water removing portion extends along an entire inner perimeter of the bottom pan. 
     
     
         16 . The leak detection system of  claim 14 , wherein the water removing portion extends along an entire outer perimeter of the bottom pan. 
     
     
         17 . The leak detection system of  claim 14 , wherein the attachment structure comprises a body and one or more prongs extending outwardly from a face of the body, the one or more prongs being configured to extend at partially into the water removing portion. 
     
     
         18 . The leak detection system of  claim 17 , wherein each of the one or more prongs comprises a barb or a hook. 
     
     
         19 . The leak detection system of  claim 17 , wherein the attachment structure further comprises a hole extending through the body. 
     
     
         20 . A water removal portion of or in contact with a water heating device for removing water from the water heating device to at least one sensor for leak detection, the water removal portion comprising:
 a wicking material or an arcuate band positioned around a perimeter of the water heating device and configured to transport water from the perimeter to the at least one sensor configured to detect a leak detection,   wherein the at least one sensor is positioned within a protrusion of the arcuate band or wherein the at least one sensor is arranged at an end of a length of the wicking material.